Background

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is the single largest supporter of research on the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of drug addiction in the world. NIDA's International Program fosters international cooperative research and the exchange of scientific information by drug abuse researchers around the globe. While NIDA has supported research and research training targeting drug abuse in other countries, given the increasing prevalence of drug abuse and addiction and its public health consequences, particularly the spread of HIV/AIDS, around the world, NIDA is significantly expanding its support of international research on these issues. In 1999, NIDA and The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw and NWO) signed an Exchange of Letters expressing their mutual intention to promote and strengthen scientific collaboration between U.S. and Dutch research groups working in the field of addiction and illicit drug use. In 2001 and 2003 binational requests for supplement applications were issued. These resulted in seven collaborative research projects. This program is part of NIDA's effort to encourage rigorous collaborative international research and to build knowledge for evidence-based strategies to reduce demand for illicit drugs around the world. Other important objectives of NIDA's program include: Promoting an international cohort of scientists who are knowledgeable of NIDA's research and methods; Providing professional development opportunities and technical consultation to the international drug abuse research community; and disseminating NIDA's research findings to international scientists and organizations. Additional information on NIDA's international research program and opportunities for research and research training funding can be found at http://www.international.drugabuse.gov.

Research Objectives

The intent of this initiative is to stimulate collaborative research between current NIDA grantees and Dutch researchers identified as project leaders in the ZonMw Addiction program and other ZonMW project leaders with expertise in addiction research. Funds are being made available to establish collaborative relationships with scientists conducting research in the Netherlands. Administrative supplements to existing NIDA-supported (R01 and R21) research projects will be issued to take advantage of opportunities to support drug abuse research with emphasis in the following areas: 1) the effect of exposure to marijuana on the developing brain; 2) prevention and treatment strategies related to marijuana use in children and adolescents; 3) prevention strategies/interventions for other abused drugs with emphasis on adolescents and young adulthood. The collaboration must be within the original scope of the NIDA-supported project but can take advantage of opportunities to expand an ongoing study into a new population or conduct other research related to the specific aims of the parent project. Administrative supplements are provided to cover cost increases that are associated with achieving the objectives within the original scope of a project and include cost increases that result from making modifications to a project in order to take advantage of opportunities that would increase the value of the project consistent with its originally approved objectives and purposes.

Budget/Adminstrative Issues

For FY 2005, $300,000 will be available from NIDA for up to 3 administrative supplements to existing research projects. These administrative supplements are generally limited to 25 percent of the Council-approved direct costs for the current budget year of the project or $100,000, whichever is less. The existing grant must have at least one year remaining at the time that the supplement is awarded. Supplements may be requested for up to two years but may extend no longer than the parent grant. If two years of support are requested, the second year of requested support will also be limited to 25 percent of the Council-approved direct costs for the second year. ZonMw support for each project will be equal to or lower than the amount of NIDA support. Administrative supplement applications will undergo a program and budget review within NIDA and ZonMw, and a grants management review by NIDA. The supplement applications will be evaluated on the 1) quality Ð what is the scientific merit of the project; will it add significantly to the scientific knowledge;, 2) feasibility Ð can the project be conducted with the resources and within the timeframe proposed; 3) relevance Ð is the project a reasonable extension of the research supported by the parent grant and, 4) the added value to the project of the proposed international collaboration. Administrative supplements may be submitted at any time, but no later than February 14, 2005. It is anticipated that supplemental funding will begin not later than September 30, 2005.

Letters of Intent

• Name of US grantee and Netherlands collaborator, name and number of parent grant
• Summary of the intended project, including what is the added value of the of the international collaboration
• Timetable for the project clearly showing that the supplement can be completed within the timeframe of the parent grant.

Schedule for award

Letter of Intent Due: December 7, 2004
Supplement Application Due: February 14, 2005
Highly rated applicants present application at a joint US/Netherlands workshop: Anticipated May 2005
Funding: No later than September 30, 2005

Application Procedure

Grantees wishing to apply for a supplement should submit an application that includes the following:

1. A cover letter citing this NOTICE, NOT-DA-05-002, and requesting an administrative supplement;
2. Page 1 of the PHS-398 grant application form, citing "International Supplement Program" in Line 2. Applicants must complete Page 1, and also include the signatures of the PI and an authorized institutional budget office official;
3. A brief proposal describing the project: Note: Certain of the sections below should be prepared and submitted jointly by the US and Netherlands partners, these section are indicated below:
   1. An abstract (US and Netherlands)
   2. Budget with justifications
   3. Biographical sketches of all key personnel
   4. Specific Aims of the parent grant
   5. Specific Aims of the supplemental project with an explanation of how they relate to the Specific Aims of the parent grant (US and Netherlands)
   6. A detailed description of the project including subject population, methods, and data analysis (less than 7 pages) (US and Netherlands)
   7. A discussion of future plans for expanding, extending, or otherwise continuing the research (US and Netherlands).

Send the original application and three copies to:

By U.S. Mail:
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6101 Executive Boulevard, Room 270, MSC 8403
Bethesda MD 20892-8403

By Express Mail:
Grants Management Branch
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6101 Executive Boulevard, Room 270
Rockville MD 20852

One additional copy to:

By U.S. Mail:
NIDA International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5252, MSC 9543
Bethesda MD 20892-9543

By Express Mail:
NIDA International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5252
Rockville MD 20852

For additional information or questions, please contact:

Dale S. Weiss
Program Analyst, International Program
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Telephone: (301) 443-6036
Fax: (301) 443-6277
E-mail: dweiss@nida.nih.gov